Summer 2004 - EarthTides Pagan Network

Summer Issue, 2004
EarthTides Pagan
Network News
Living in Maine, Celebrating the Earth
Inside this issue:
See Us At
Common Ground Fair!
Beltane, 2004: A HUGE Success!
Over 200 Maine Pagans met at
Popham Beach State Park to celebrate
Beltane on May 1, 2004. Except for
one year when we met inland, this is
the 22nd year in a row in which a Beltane celebration has been held at the
state park.
In a perfect mixture of sun, cloud and
fog, the overflow crowd was too much
for the two Maypoles, forcing many to
double up on ribbons, or to take turns
dancing one of the two Maypoles.
All of the picnic tables and grills in the
area in which we gathered, were in use
as pot luck food was spread out for a
large feast. Kelt drew out a labyrinth
in the wet sand so that attendees could
walk the path to the center and back.
As a special treat, Julie Lane (of Castle
Bay fame), and her husband Fred entertained us with wonderful Celtic music on harp and fiddle.. (see more pictures on page 7).
Publication Delayed by Illness
For those of you who have been wondering where your Litha and Lughnasadh
issues of the EarthTides Pagan Network News have been, please accept our
apologies. One of the two editors who works on the paper, (the one who does
the formatting for publication) has been very ill and unable to work on the newsletter. Thank you for your patience waiting for this issue. (Subscriptions will be
extended one more issue). I want to thank everyone who supplied articles,
graphics, ads and assistance to pull this issue together. Fred Griffith—President
2
About the EarthTides
Pagan Network
2
Aesir to Zeus :
Book Reviews
by Harper Meader
3
About the EarthTides
Pagan Network News
3
The Green Witch:
Making Red Oil
4
Midsummer Knot Magic
5
New T-Shirt Design Debuts at the Fair!
6
Passing Notice
6
More Images from
Beltane, 2004
7
The Green Witch:
Blackberries
8
Festival of Lug
9
Calendar of Events
10
Networking
11
Newsletter Staff:
Editor: Anu Dudley
Contributors to this issue:
Marigold,
Harper Meader,
Arwen Evenstar,
Fred Griffith,
Leigh Griffith
Assistance:
EarthTides Pagan Network News
Page 2
See Us at Common
Ground Country
Fair!
The EarthTides Pagan Network will again
have a booth at Common Ground Country
Fair in Unity, Maine (about 30 miles east of
Waterville). Since 1991, EarthTides has had
a booth each year in the Social/Political Action area of the fairgrounds. Some years,
more people have asked for directions to our
booth than any other booth at the fairgrounds!
At the Common Ground Country Fair, the
EarthTides Pagan Network has a great opportunity to pursue its mission of helping
Maine Pagans network with others, and to
share the truth about Wicca and other forms
of Paganism with the public. Apple Valley
Books has graciously provided hundreds of
books, buttons, bumper stickers, calendars,
mugs and music which are sold at the booth.
The income from these sales help to cover
EPN’s costs for the booth, and many other
expenses throughout the year.
None of this happens by itself, however.
EPN still needs volunteers to help staff the
booth and to participate in public talks at the
fair. If you would be interested and available, please call Fred Griffith, at 532-2455.
Thanks!
About the EarthTides Pagan Network
The Maine Pagan community is diverse, independent
and geographically distant. We worship in groups or
alone, but sometimes need contact and a shared forum to express our ideas and concerns for this community.
gested donation of $11.00 per year. Single copies
may be obtained by sending a $1.50 donation and a
self-addressed, stamped envelope to: EPN, P.O. Box
161, E. Winthrop, ME 04343. E-mail:
[email protected]
The Earthtides Pagan Network was established in
1989 as a support resource for Maine Pagans. All
solitaries and groups are welcome to join.
The deadline for submissions to the Mabon newsletter (Common Ground Fair Issue!) is Sept. 7, 2004.
A subscription to this newsletter is available for a sug-
Summer Issue, 2004
Aesir to Zeus :
Page 3
Book Reviews by Harper Meader
"Self-Initiation for the Solitary Witch", by Shanddaramon, presents a five-degree system of initiation
which is distinct from the major traditions. After the
first three degrees, there is a fourth degree, the path
of the physical, and the fifth degree, the path of the
mysterious.
A course of study is outlined, along with goals of attainment, such as to direct a community service project or to mentor a priest or priestess. Since the essence of the fourth degree is to be "a respected spiritual guide for all the members of your group", I have
to say that the book is not necessarily for solitaries,
despite its title.
Cover price $14.99.
Another new book aimed at solitaries is "Spells for
the Solitary Witch", by Eileen Holland. This is
more of a spell-recipe book than an explanatory
book, and it does a good job. The original material
has a greater tendency to rhyme and scan than is
commonly found, which I like a lot, and the ideas
behind the spells seem sound.
While there is hardly a spell for everything, there are
some that I wouldn't have thought of, and they are
well-crafted. What makes this a "solitaries" book is
that all of the spells are designed to be enacted by a
lone practitioner, but that doesn't keep it from being
useful to the rest of us.
Cover price $16.95.
"When I See the Wild God; Encountering Urban
Celtic Witchcraft" by Ly De Angeles is an interesting work. Since I am neither a Celtic Witch nor Urban in any way, I only feel qualified to recognize that
the author is a fine outside-the-box thinker, and that
he presents an attractive, fresh 'Craft that I'm guessing will resonate for beginners or others who want
their witching to be fresh and alive wherever they are.
Cover price $12.95.
"The Paganism Reader", by Chas Clifton and
Graham Harvey, is simply fabulous. Do a small section each day, spend a little time pondering each one,
and be a more well-read Pagan! Works excerpted,
with commentary, include the Havamal, the Homeric
Hymns, Gerald Gardner, Robert Heinlein, and Pliny
the Elder, with many more. It's a great selection!
Cover price $31.95.
Okay, here we go; even though the previous book is
wonderful, I'm more excited by "Pop! Goes the
Witch; the Disinformation Guide to 21st Century
Witchcraft", edited by Fiona Horne. Now, I'm not
through with it yet, so something terrible and objectionable may yet bubble up, but here's my early opinion. A while ago there was a discussion online about
what single book on Paganism we would give to a
beginner. I've long thought that "The Spiral Dance",
as good as it is, is not the best introductory text. This
book, goofy title, casual cover photo, and all, would
be my recommendation right now. It is readable, interesting, sensible, balanced, wise, and broad in
scope. Impressed, impressed, impressed!
Cover price $19.95.
About the EarthTides Pagan Network News
This newsletter comes out eight times a year, around
the Sabbats. Literary, poetic and artistic contributions
are welcome, as are opinion pieces. Please keep
submissions to no more than two pages, doublespaced. Please submit on disk or e-mail to
[email protected]
Subscribers' names, addresses and other personal
information are kept confidential except to other
network members. EPN will aid in establishing
contact between individuals, but accepts no legal
responsibility for the results.
All signed articles and artwork are the property of
their creators, and ads are the property of our
advertisers; these may not be used elsewhere without
permission.
All other content is copyright 2004 EarthTides Pagan
Network, all rights reserved. The EarthTides Pagan
Network News and the EarthTides name and "moonover-Maine" logo are copyright 2004 EarthTides
Pagan Network, and may not be used without written
permission of the EPN Council.
Page 4
The Green Witch:
EarthTides Pagan Network News
Making Red Oil
St. John’s wort begins to bloom at the Summer
Solstice, and so at this bright time of year, I replenish my supply of red oil made from an
infusion of the fresh flowers and leaves
of this powerful and generous herb. I
use red oil to anoint candles, people,
and objects for the altar and for magical practice.
beautiful when finished that I like to display it in tall, thin
glass bottles. But for making the oil, use wide-mouth
jars so you can get the chopped herbs in and
out easily.
Harvest the St. John’s wort at midday or early afternoon on a sunny, dry day.
This is important, as much to capture the
full power of the Sun as it is to obtain material free from mold-causing dampness. You
St. John’s wort is a frequent roadside
do not want to collect wet herbs. You are
herb, easily recognizable for its small,
after the flowers and the top-most stems
star-like flowers with five yellow petals
and leaves, so you do not need to harvest
and a little bushy center of golden stathe whole plant. I use a special pair of garmen. It grows one to three feet high
den scissors consecrated to harvesting herbs
on tough slender stalks from which
for ceremony, and I snip off three to four
sprout lots of small, oblong leaves.
St. Johns Wort
inches from the flowering tops and lay them
When you break or bruise the stalk, a
Flowers are yellow when seen in
in my ceremonial herb collection basket.
color.
bright red sap oozes from the wound
When
I harvest herbs for ceremony (or for
and stains your fingers.
any reason), I leave a pinch of dried tobacco
On the vibrational level, St. John’s wort promotes
or rose petals (also from my garden) as a thank offering.
health, protection, strength, and happiness. What
I used to walk along the road and snip St. John’s wort,
more could one want! Coming at the Summer Sol- but now I grow it in my herb garden, and it spreads like
stice, this herb is ruled by the Sun, and its element
mad!
is Fire. I feel that by gathering and preserving
Now you are ready to make the red oil. First, wash and
these qualities in red oil, I am saving a bit of the
dry your hands thoroughly. Set your clean jar(s) to the
Sun’s highest energies for use at other times of the
side, take your clean knife and cutting board, and
year. Cunningham suggests that, traditionally, if
coarsely chop the St. John’s wort. Fill the jar(s) no more
gathered at Mid-summer, or on a Friday, and worn
than 3/4 full with the chopped herb. Next,
on the body, it will keep mental illness
“I feel that by
slowly pour the olive oil over the herbs until
away and cure melancholy, an interestgathering and
they are completely immersed. Take a clean
ing use in view of its present applicapreserving these
knife and gently move the herbs away from the
tion as an anti-depressant. Dried over
qualities in red oil, sides of the jar to allow the oil to fill in all the
the Mid-summer fire, and hung at winI am saving a bit of spaces. You want to get all the air bubbles out.
dows, it banishes and keeps the house
the Sun’s highest This will settle the herbs and let you pour in
free from negative energies.
energies for use at enough additional oil to almost fill the jar. You
To make red oil, you need several glass other times of the need to completely cover the herbs so none are
jars with lids, a large funnel or medium year. “
exposed to the air, which could allow mold to
wire mesh strainer, a sharp knife, cutgrow, but you also need to leave some space at
ting board, cheese cloth, olive oil or
the top, above the oil, so you can shake the jar
other vegetable oil, and the fresh herb. Making
to further mix the contents.
herbal oils of any type requires an absolutely clean
Tightly cover the jar and place it in a warm, sunny winpreparation technique to prevent the mixture from
dow for at least two warm, sunny window for at least
growing mold or becoming rancid. I speak from
experience! First, collect your glass jars and covers two weeks, shaking every few days, until it is a nice red
color. To decant, take a large, clean funnel or strainer,
and thoroughly wash and dry them. The oil is so
(Continued on page 6)
Summer Issue, 2004
Page 5
Midsummer Knot Magic
At Midsummer, I find myself contemplating knots. I
revel in the seemingly endless light of this season and
wish I could capture some of it tie it up with a magical
knot, and release it at darker times. I also strive to release the emotional knots that bind me to routines and
responsibilities so I can be more spontaneous and
playful in this bright, relaxed time of year, and discover
new meanings.
Knots are more than just devices for keeping your
sneakers on, and they have served societies for at least
4,000 years. Our first written evidence for knots
comes from Near Eastern cuniform tablets that instructed people on the magical uses of knots. But
stone carvings and sculptures from
Sumerian, Greek, and Egyptian periods
also show evidence that knots were functional, ornamental, and magical in use.
On the symbolic level, knots have a number of traditional meanings, all related to
the central idea of a closed link, similar to
the Ouroboros, the dragon or snake biting its own tail, representing the continuity and oneness of life. The Ouroboros
knot also signifies the union between the chthonian, or
underworld, principle (the serpent) and the celestial
principle (the bird), whose synthesis is represented by
the dragon. This principle is best exemplified in the
oldest, most sacred knot, the Hercules knot, or what
we call the square knot, which binds these two principles together in a stable square with four corners for
the four directions. Representations of the Hercules
knot can be found carefully and precisely depicted in
Greek and Egyptian carvings and paintings, indicating
the importance of this specific knot form. Other knot
symbols of ancient importance are the sign for infinity,
the horizontal figure 8, as well as the number 8 itself.
The “endless knot” of Buddhist and Celtic tradition
both represent integration of the physical and spiritual
planes, bringing order to chaos, and signifying oneness
and continuity with the Divine.
Thus, hair worn loose and clothing secured with pins
might be called for during creative, expansive work,
while braids and knotted sashes might be worn during
protective or banishing work. Knitting, crocheting,
and macrame are all considered knot crafts, so one
may want to add or avoid these fabrics depending on
the work to be accomplished. In this vane, netting is
considered extremely protective because it is traditionally made with hundreds of knots.
Knot magic is generally done with cords of natural fiber such as wool, cotton, silk, or linen. Since I am a
spinner, I like to take wool yarn I have spun especially
for spell work and use it for knot magic, or braid it for
various magical uses. I also use grapevine
and other plant materials such as split
spruce root, grasses, and herb stalks to
twist and braid cord for ceremonial purposes. As with all magic, the intention
concentrated into these materials as you
harvest or form then into cords increases
their potency.
To perform a simple knot spell, take a
cord of an appropriate color for your
purpose and, holding it across open palms, visualize
your need or intention. When your intention is at its
strongest, tie a firm knot in the cord. Pull the ends
taut, which releases the power to fulfill your intention.
The knotted cord remains as a representation of your
need. Keep the knot in a safe place until your intention is fulfilled. Then, burn or bury it, or it in a safe
box where it will not be untied. If you ever wish to
reverse the spell, then untie the knot.
To make a wishing ladder, use a long appropriately colored cord. Collect nine small objects, seeds, etc. that
are magically related to your wish. Begin at one end by
tying the first item onto cord, pulling the knot taut as
you visualize how this object exemplifies your wish.
Repeat this process till all nine items are knotted to the
cord. Consecrate the wishing ladder at your altar or
outdoors under moon or sun, then hang it in your
Magically, knots are used both for binding and loosen- home in a prominent place, or drape it around your
ing energy. Some traditions proscribe the braiding of altar. Dispose of it as above when your intention is
hair or the use of knots to fasten clothing during spiri- fulfilled.
tual practice because of energy flow considerations.
(Continued on page 6)
EarthTides Pagan Network News
Page 6
The Green Witch:
Making Red Oil (Continued)
(Continued from page 4)
line it with cheese cloth, place the funnel over another
clean jar, and dump the oil-herb mixture into the
cheese cloth. Allow the oil to drain through until it
stops dripping. Then, with clean fingers, help express
the last drops by squeezing the cheese cloth. At this
point, you can either pour the oil into its final bottle,
or you can use the oil to make a second infusion, thus
increasing its herbal power and deepening its red
color. Fortunately, St. John’s wort stays in bloom for
many, many weeks, so there is usually time for a second harvest.
To make a second infusion, simply repeat the steps,
but add the first infusion to the herbs instead of olive
oil. You may need to top off with some additional
olive oil. It is more important than ever, in this second infusion, to exercise cleanliness to keep the mixture free from contamination. I have found that one
small jar easily lasts me for a whole year, so, even
though I enjoy making it, I need to not get carried
away!
Be well; Marigold
Midsummer Knot Magic
(Continued from page 5)
At this time of year, I like to gather grasses and vines
that are full of the bursting energy of the waxing sun
and braid them into a log fat cord. Then I tie the ends
with a colored ribbon to form it into a circle. Taking
two long straight pieces of stalk, I make a cross tied at
the center with a Hercules knot. Then I place the
cross inside the wreath and tie each of the four ends
to the wreath, creating a sun circle to honor the Sum-
(Continued)
mer King. I also like to gather the long stalks of St.
Johns Wort and, visualizing bright light and warmth
and infusing these images into the plants, make
braided wreaths. These I hang to dry, and when I
need “enlightenment” or cheer, I’ll take one and
slowly untie and unbraid it, receiving back the wealth
of summer.
Bright Blessings, Marigold.
New T-Shirt Design Debuts at the Fair!
Shortly after the EarthTides Pagan
Network first organized in 1989,
Craft artisan Leigh Griffith created
the original Logo for EPN; a crescent moon viewed against the side of
the earth as seen from space, all contained within a grape vine wreath.
While this logo has been on our banner for years, it has never made it
onto a T-shirt until now! Plans
are in the works to have full color
printed shirts available for members and friends to purchase at
the EarthTides booth at Common
Ground Country Fair.
Be sure to stop by the EarthTides
booth and get your shirt while the
supply lasts!
Summer Issue, 2004
Page 7
More Images from Beltane at Popham Beach, May 1, 2004
Ribbons of all colors billowed from the top of the Maypoles
before we started our dance.
Julia Lane (of Castle Bay fame) and her husband Fred
entertain at the 22nd annual Beltane Celebration at
Popham Beach, Maine, May 1, 2004.
Here is one end
of three bar-beque areas that we
filled for the potluck.
Around 200 Pagans from around
the state joined us
for all or part of
the day.
Passing Notice:
twenty-plus years, and had numerous students during that
time.
Shannon Franke ,craft name Maia Moondancer, died August 3 of apparent heart failure at her home in Waterville,
Maine. She was fifty-four. She was one of Earthtides'
founding members.
Helena, a longtime student of Shannon's, led a memorial
service at Circle Trianon's beautiful ritual space in North
Waterford. Shannon's ashes were scattered at the women's
circle there, where a memorial marker will be placed.
A mostly self-taught Witch originally from California, initiated by Frank Dufner, she led or co-led a coven in several forms both in Maine and New York over the last
Shannon leaves behind children Kenneth, Michael, Michelle, and Branwen, and two
grandchildren, Leah and Taliesin.
EarthTides Pagan Network News
Page 8
The Green Witch
Love ‘em or hate ‘em, it’s blackberry season at Lughnasadh, so if I can’t beat ‘em, I might as well write
about them! Obviously, I have a love/hate relationship with blackberries, also known as black raspberries. They are such strong, invasive plants in my forest clearing that I have trouble controlling their tough
canes and vicious thorns, and since I try to eliminate
the new growth every summer, I never get to enjoy
the actual berries which appear on two-year-old
canes. Too bad, because blackberry pie is traditional
at Lughnasadh, and
the plant has its uses culinary, medicinal,
and magical - so perhaps I should exercise
a little forbearance!
It is easy to recognized blackberries.
Their canes are taller
and thicker than the
raspberries that spring
up in clearings in the
woods, and rather
than the bristle-like
thorns on raspberries,
blackberry thorns are
big and nasty, like
rose thorns.
(Blackberries are, in
fact, in the rose family, along with raspberries and apples).
By Lughnasadh, the berries, which started as pale
green, hard nuggets, are plump and purple, each
berry consisting of dozens of tiny balls of sweet juice
(and annoying seeds that get caught in your teeth, but
I digress). The berries hang in bunches from the
ends of the canes, weighting them down as they mature. Because of this habit, I’ve recently decided that
blackberries remind me of images of Lakshmi, the
Hindu goddess of abundance, as golden coins pour
from the fingers of one of her four hands. This is an
apt comparison since one of the magical powers of
blackberries is wealth. Blackberries, and their leaves,
are used in money and prosperity spells.
Blackberries
Under the protection of Brigid, blackberry is of the
water element, and is also used for healing and for
protection. For protection, blackberry canes were
traditionally hung above the doors and windows of
the house to snare negativity. For healing, herb lore
teaches us to make an arch of living blackberry canes
and to crawl backwards and forwards under the arch
to cure illness, especially joint and skin ailments.
(Sounds like this treatment would cause joint or skin
problems, but there I
go again!) I’d be more
inclined to sit under a
blackberry arch and
meditate on wellness,
visualizing the sharp
thorns snagging ill
health as it hovered
above my head.
An invocation to Brigid using blackberry
leaves is also used to
heal burns. Dip nine
blackberry leaves in
spring water and gently lay them on the
wound, and chant
three times to each
leaf as you lay it on
(27 times in all):
“Three Ladies came from the East,
One with Fire, and two the Frost.
Out with Fire, in with Frost.”
I’m going outside to make peace with the blackberries.
Be Well,
Marigold
Summer Issue, 2004
Page 9
The Festival of Lug
Lughnasadh is a deeply lyrical sabbat whose mystical
meaning has long since been overtaken by its more
secular function as a harvest festival, Christianized as
Lamas or Loaf Mass. That is not to belittle the importance of celebrating the harvest, which feeds life,
but in focusing all our attention on the fruits of the
soil, we forget the shadow meaning of Lughnasadh,
that life feeds death and thus completes the Wheel.
At Lughnasadh, dreams and endeavors come to fruition at the same time as the power of the sun is waning. This paradox of life in death and death in life is
the central meaning of the sabbat.
Lughnasadh is the festival of Lug,
the Celtic grain god and sun god,
the “Lord of Light,” and it celebrates life, death, and resurrection.
In one version of his myth cycle,
he was born of Arianrod, the Silver
Wheel, she who is “Life in Death.”
Called Llew Llaw, he was a goldenhaired boy remarkable for his rapid
growth, which linked him to the
sun and to grain. At the apex of
his splendor, he was destroyed by
the duality of Arianrod, Blodenwedd, the Flower Faced, she who
is “Death in Life.” This story depicts the natural imperative toward
growth and individuation and the
natural falling away as maturity fulfills its purpose of
creating the next cycle’s seeds. This natural cycle of
birth, death, and renewal, the cycle essential for the
perpetuation of life, is what is fundamentally celebrated at Lughnasadh.
In another version of Lug’s myth cycle, he was a noble warrior and magician who could play the harp,
write poetry, build houses, forge iron, and win battles
with his magic javelin. Ravens flew around him and
served as spies and messengers. He walked with a
limp and covered one eye when he wished to be
anonymous. He even killed his grandfather in battle.
In this guise, Lug resembles Woton or Odin, the great
shaman who hung himself on the tree of the world for
nine days and, shaman-like, underwent his own death
and resurrection. This aspect of Lug also relates him
to Zeus, one of the oldest Indo-European sky gods.
Although originally associated with the cycle of life,
death, and rebirth, eventually the gods of this patriarchal breed became immortal in themselves and did
not experience annual death and renewal. Thus they
disrupted the older matriarchal mystery in which female and male energy worked in harmony to keep the
Wheel turning.
Incidentally, the legacy of Lug lives on in Western culture in curious ways. For example, hundreds of place
names throughout Europe bear
his name, including Lyon in
France (and thus anybody named
Lyon), London (which means
Lug’s fortress), and Leyden in
Holland. In the United States,
we have such places as Ludlow
(Lug’s gate) in Massachusetts.
In Lughnasadh, we have the opportunity to recognize and honor
our cycles of life, ending, and renewal, from our daily cycle of
waking, sleeping, and reawakening, our weekly cycle of working
and recreating and returning to
our jobs, to our yearly cycle of
outdoor summer life, indoor winter life, and the opening up of the
windows and doors again in the
spring. Then, there is the cycle of our own lives, the
expanding and contracting of our energies, relationships, ambitions, sorrows, and joys, and finally, our
own death and rebirth.
In understanding that next year’s harvest is contained
in the fruits of this year’s bounty, we are Arianrod, the
Silver Wheel, “Life in Death.” In grasping that, in
order to live, we must consume the harvest, we are
Bloddenwedd, the Flower Faced, “Death in Life.” In
contemplating “what is our harvest at this time, and
what seeds have we created for our renewal,” we are
Lug. Merry meet, and merry part, and merry meet
again.
Blessed Be, Marigold
Page 10
EarthTides Pagan Network News
Calendar of Events
NOTE: If you'd like your event included in our calendar of events, please send us an e-mail, with Calendar Listings as the subject, to [email protected]
before the deadline for the issue in which you'd like it listed. Each issue of the newsletter lists the next deadline on the front page.
If you would like an extra copy of this calendar to post on a public bulletin board, please feel free to photocopy it freely. If you know a business in
your area which would like to post one, please send the information to the above e-mail address and we'll add it to the mailing list.
As a service to the Pagan community, we seek to list as many events as possible that would be of interest to Maine Pagans. You need not be a member of EPN, or even a subscriber to this newsletter, to list an event here. All we ask is that events be non-profit -- that is, that any fees for participating not exceed the reasonable cost of putting on the event -- and submitted to us by e-mail or post by the publication deadline. (Those planning forprofit events are welcome to avail themselves of our very affordable advertising opportunities.)
We make no claim as to the value or safety of any of these events, and caution our readers to rely on their own best judgment when assessing any
situation, particularly those involving strangers. That said, we also encourage you to participate in as wide a spectrum of the Pagan community as you
can, both for your own enjoyment and because our community needs your positive energy and good fellowship.
SEPTEMBER
18-19 Saturday and Sunday
Roman Market Days, Nova Roma, Harbor Park, Wells. This
will be a great opportunity for those working with the Roman pantheon to learn more about its cultural context. This
historical event will feature a Roman legionary encampment,
excellent combat shows by the Ludus Magnus gladiatorial
troupe, educational presentations, children's activities, Roman siege equipment, and even a Roman chariot. For more
information, the event website is: http://
www.romanmarketday.com
18 Saturday
Open Mabon Ritual, Immanent Grove, Sidney, 7 p.m. This
will be Grove's annual burning of the Summer King, to celebrate the end of summer and the start of autumn. Circle will
be followed by a pot luck; please bring your own plates, cups
and utensils as we prefer not to use disposables. Minors are
welcome if accompanied by a custodial parent. For more
information, please contact:[email protected].
19 Sunday
Open Mabon, Silver Cauldron, Saco, 4:00. Mabon ritual will
be followed by potluck. For details e-mail [email protected] or call 282-1491.
24-26 Friday through Sunday
Common Ground Fair, Unity. Many activities and demonstrations, with great shopping! Earthtides will have a booth
for fund-raising and information about Paganism in the political action tent--stop by and say hi! If you'd like to volunteer to help in the booth, please contact Fred Griffith at [email protected]. For details about the fair itself (directions,
schedule etc.) email [email protected].
OCTOBER
3 Sunday
Maine Pagan Pride Day, Sacred Oaks, Wells, 10 am to 4 pm.
There will be workshops throughout the day, including "An
Introduction to Elements", "The Spiral Scouts", "A Norse
Sumble", "Tarot for Everyday Life" and more, as well as an
afternoon public ritual, vendors, and pagans from around
the state. Please bring a non-perishable food item that will be
donated to a local food bank. For more information, check
the website: http://www.maineppd.org.
30 Saturday
Open Samhain, Immanent Grove, Sidney, 7:00 p.m. For
more information, please contact [email protected].
NOVEMBER
5-7 Friday through Sunday
Elements Workshop (Reclaiming Tradition), Sidney. For
more information, contact [email protected].
13 Saturday
Meeting, Maine Pagan Clergy Association, Portland (place to
be determined later), 4 p.m. This organization is open to all
who perform the work of clergy (facilitate a group, teach,
write for publication, offer open circles, etc.) within the state
of Maine. For further information, contact
[email protected].
DECEMBER
12 Sunday
Open Yule Ritual, Silver Cauldron, Saco, 4:00 p.m. This
child-friendly Yule ritual will be followed by potluck. For
details e-mail [email protected] or call 282-1491.
18 Saturday
Open Yule Ritual, Immanent Grove, Sidney, 7 p.m. For further information, please contact [email protected].
MONTHLY EVENTS
Pagan Coffee Klatch, Quilting Bee and Clothing Swap, Gardiner. For further information, contact
Jani @ [email protected]>.
Westbrook Maine Pagans offer several regular events. For
further information, please contact Christopher Willow,
[email protected].
Summer Issue, 2004
Page 11
Networking
The people and groups listed here are mentioned because they have done two things: They have volunteered to serve as points of contact for
those seeking Pagan community, and they have signed the EPN Standards, which pledges them to follow a set of basic rules of ethical conduct.
Any person or group may be listed here by subscribing to this newsletter and agreeing to those Standards; please contact EPN to arrange such a
listing.
EPN has no interest in serving as the "Pagan police," and explicitly supports the autonomy of each person and group in matters of faith, belief
and worship. The Maine Pagan community encompasses a wide variety of people and practices, and seekers are cautioned that any person or
activity that makes you uncomfortable is probably wrong for you.
Groups and individuals who seek networking opportunities but are reluctant to sign the Standards are encouraged to take advantage of our advertising columns.
> together to share their work and honor the Deities who inspire them.
AUGUSTA AREA
SPECIAL INTERESTS
Bill and Johanna Chellis. Pantheists working with the circle,
wheel and labyrinth. 685-3860
Immanent Grove. A fellowship of practicing Pagans of all
persuasions. Members pursue their own personal relationships with the Gods. We're interested in corresponding with
experienced Pagans who would like to work with us. Harper
and Arwen, Immanent Grove, Box 2328 Middle Road, Sidney, ME 04330
Deaf Pagans. I would love to meet Deaf adults who are Pagan and other Pagan parents of Deaf children. Ede, 353-6202
(V/TTY) or [email protected]
PanCraft. Pagan artists, musicians and others beloved of the
Muses get together to share their work and honor the Deities
who inspire them. Harper and Arwen, Box 2328 Middle
Road, Sidney, ME 04330
OXFORD HILLS AREA
ONLINE RESOURCES
Khyrohn Ni Mara. Eclectic Wiccan focusing on healing
through herbs and drumming. RR1 Box 2606, N. Waterford,
ME 04267. 583-4215.
PORTLAND/YORK COUNTY
Temple of Brigantia. Wiccan group honoring the Goddesses
and Gods of Britain and Rome. Offering open Full Moon rituals and accepting selected candidates for apprenticeship. Jane/
Cassius, 646-6634 or [email protected]
Circle of the Silver Cauldron, Atlantic. Eclectic Wiccan
coven emphasizing creativity and self-development. Great
Day celebrations open to the community. Thea or Harry, 2821491 or [email protected]
EPN website
http://www.earthtides.org
Maine Pagan Resource Page,
http://www. janeraeburn.com/maine
Maine Pagan Clergy Association website,
http://www.mainepaganclergy.org
Maine Pagan Mailing List, to join send blank e-mail to
[email protected]
EPN Mailing List (open to newsletter subscribers only), to j
oin send blank e-mail to:
[email protected]
Maine Pagan Politics List, to join send blank e-mail to
[email protected]
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